강추위에 덜덜 떠는 전기차, 급속 충전기는 어디에? (2024.01.25/뉴스데스크/MBC)

Summary

As extreme cold grips Korea, electric vehicles are struggling with faster battery drainage and longer charging times. Researchers found battery capacity and charge/discharge times dropped 70% at -20°C. With fewer fast chargers per EV in Korea than the US and China, drivers are finding all stations occupied during cold snaps. As climate change brings more unexpected freezes, fast chargers are crucial to avoid stranded EVs. Korea must strategically invest in more fast charging stations to support the global EV transition and prepare for extreme weather.

Takeaways

• 😢 Extreme cold weather is causing issues for electric vehicles like faster battery drain and longer charging times.
• 😱 Batteries lose up to 70% of their capacity and take twice as long to charge in -15°C temperatures.
• 😠 Drivers need to charge EVs twice as often in cold weather.
• 🚘 There is a shortage of fast chargers compared to slow chargers at charging stations.
• 😫 Major cities like Seoul have high EV to fast charger ratios, indicating shortage.
• 😨 Faster chargers are critical to avoid being stranded in extreme cold.
• 😰 Texas froze when arctic air collapsed the polar vortex, trapping EVs.
• 😡 Global warming brings more unpredictable cold snaps.
• ❄️ Cold weather cripples EVs so more fast chargers are urgently needed.
• 😤 Government support and strategic investment in more chargers is critical for EV growth.

Q & A

Why are electric cars struggling in the cold weather?

In cold temperatures, electric car batteries lose power more quickly, take longer to charge, and have reduced range. This is because the electrolytes in the batteries solidify in the cold, preventing ions from moving smoothly between the electrodes.

How much did the test battery capacity and charge/discharge times decrease at -20°C?

The cylindrical batteries used in imported electric cars saw capacity and charge/discharge times decrease to around 70% at -20°C in the experiment.

What happens to lithium-ion mobility in cold temperatures?

Lithium ions cannot move smoothly between the positive and negative electrodes when it is cold, reducing battery performance.

How does the cold weather affect electric car drivers?

Drivers often need to charge their cars twice as often and spend more time charging in cold temperatures.

Why are fast chargers important in extreme cold?

Fast chargers are critical for drivers with low batteries in frigid temperatures, as regular chargers take too long when battery performance is reduced.

How does the ratio of electric cars to fast chargers compare internationally?

Korea has around 10% fast chargers, lower than the US (22%) and China (40%). Higher ratios indicate insufficient chargers.

What happened to electric cars during the Texas freeze?

Many electric cars lost power and were stranded. Charging stations became jammed as drivers desperately needed to recharge.

Why could extreme cold spells become more common?

Global warming can increase weather variability, leading to more unexpected and intense cold snaps.

Why should Korea expand its fast charging network?

More fast chargers are needed to prepare for extreme weather and support growing electric vehicle adoption.

What needs to be done to support more electric cars?

Strategic investment and policies by the government to rapidly expand the fast charging network are urgent.